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Bicycle Gourmet’s Paris Covid Update
Yes, I know, it does seem strange that I, DA BG – extoller of the French Country backroads, food, wine senic landscapes and other Treasures of France, am giving you this Paris Covid Update, by writing about- A CITY.
But, as you are well aware Dear reader…Paris is not just any city. Like, for instance, Burbank, Blackpool, or Bolton.
But a city steeped in history, culture, adventure, intrigue, betrayal, massacres and all that other stuff that makes Paris, well,..er..PARIS!
Travelling to France after Covid won’t be the same as it once was. The city has undergone massive changes in the past decade, and this transformation has made it a better, more vibrant destination in the eyes of many.
One of the most noticeable transformations came with the opening of the Palais Covil in 2008. It is a convention-centered complex housing restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, conferences and events. The biggest such hotel complex in Europe and the Paris Region.
The transformation into a tourist center was the result of several factors. The first being that Paris is now the top tourist destination in the world
The second factor was the global economic crisis. An inevitable result of Covid 19. It virtually crippled the tourist industry. Which, obviously, is the city’s main main attraction.
Sad, but for the moment, unavoidable to see: hotels, restaurants, clubs, cafes,bars,theaters, conference centers that helped spread the vibe of the city muted.
Particularly affected was the Palais de Paris, which is a large convention space that hosts conferences, meetings, weddings and fashion shows. The same fate also befell the Palais de Choubiras, an up and coming venue for the fashion industry.
In addition to it’s obvious tourist and cultural attractions,Paris has also been the setting for more than a few blockbuster movies and plays. Argueably the three most well known being Les Liaisons Dangereuses La Vie en Rose and Les Vampires .
And so, yes, Paris is down. For the moment. But, like a boxer who has taken a serious beating, will be on her feet again. Sooner than you think. (Hold that thought!)
This Video has more of my non-Paris ranting.
THROW ME A BONE HERE, PEOPLE!
WHAT ARE YA THINKIN’?
Bicycle Gourmet’s Photo Workshop Lowdown.
The straight skinny on DA BG’s Photography Workshop Tours is headed your way because of, not suprisingly, this recurring question :
What’s the lowdown on your French Photography Course Workshops? Glad you asked. No, really. Because with everything in life that sounds too good to be true, there are some truths to be revealed.And with Photo Tours you’ve never been on before – in advance, being the best way.
Not to pour cold water on your French dreams, but having a more balanced view of the realities of this here land, will enable you to have a “mo beddah” experience.
Reality One : Strikes can, and do happen without much/any advance notice. Particularly with trains. Then there are the mini-strikes that we call “work stoppages” or “work to rule” (in the UK) Translation: The service you want and need is not available today.
Reality Two: While it cannot technically be considered a “strike” or “work stoppage”, just as irritatingly inconvenient is the “Fermenture Exceptionnell.” (translation: “exceptional closing”) You will find this sign on the window of whatever shop whose goods/services you absolutely, desperately want/need and will probably die without. But, sniff,sniff, they’ve decided , for whatever reason, or no reason at all, not to be open today.
Reality Three : Although there are approximately 30,000 words we have in common with those (usually)loveable latins, they ARE pronounced differently. For instance, our “fragile” is “Fraa- geeel.” so prepare your ears.
And also, prepare a few essential phrases. like “yes, no”, thank you” and the absolutely critical “where’s the toilet?” That said, you will find that most Frenchies do understand more “eengleesh” than they speak. But if you make the effort, they meet you more than halfway.
Reality Four : Da Wine! While French Wine is justly famed Worldwide, there is another(and for me) more interesting aspect of Froggie grapedom. That being the “cave co-operative.” A Wine Co-op offering a grog from growers in the local area. Sold “en vrac” (Translation: you bring an empty litre container (a “Bidon”) and “fill ‘er up.)
The advantages of buying from a local cave-co-operative are many. First of all: Convenience. Second: Quality/price ratio. Always under 2 euro@litre. Third: Because the caves are outside the government A.O.C. wine classification system, they can blend the best grapes they have available. With no worries about the “correct varieties.”
Reality Five : French Food. Is good and priced reasonably in the (non high traffic) countryside. Cities are just what you’d expect. (Cannes, more. and worse -trust me -” been there – done that”)
Reality Six: Impossible to get a bad cup of coffee in France. They know their joe!
Reality Seven: The French Countryside is MORE fantastic than any/all photos you’ve seen. That’s what makes it such a “must do” destination for Landscape Photography.
Reality Eight: After a million and a half years(and counting!) of an Endless Tour de France – I can (and will) Absolutely make sure you taste the land and the people as well as the food and wine – plus go home with some awesome images, great memories, and (more often than not) a few new friends.
Anything else you’d like to know?
THROW ME A BONE HERE, PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
French Casino Lemon Festival
French Casino Lemon Festival is indeed a cute title – n’est ce pas? but more than that it is also relevant. Because, as you will recall in my LAST POST the subject was oranges. (and alcohol, bien sur) So now, it’s time for Lemons. (and yes, I promise, the next post will not be about the Bells of St. Clemens!)
So – why Lemons? Why is yer ‘ole pal DA BG – goo-ru of French Country Travel Life, ramblin’ on about Lemons?
Well, it’s like this. I rarely watch TV. And on those rare occasions, my choice of fare is almost always a documentary. Over the past month, there have been three docs pass my screen totally concerned with, or referencing, the lemons of Menton.
Now, as you will recall from “French Geography for Smarties” Menton (pro: “mon tawn”) is at the tail end of the French Riviera. Smack dab against the Italian border. This factoid means that Menton is a “shopping portal.” The temporary destination of other Riveria-ites who pass through it to Italy. Where they shop ’til they drop at lower-than-French prices. And return. With no duty, no customs check. (That’s Europe, folks!)
Other than that singular point of distinction, Menton, is yet another fun- in- the- sun -on- the -cote- d’zur location. But, happily, without the faux glitz and nose in the air attitude of Cannes. Or the “jet set-we-bathe-in-$100-champagne” ambience of St. Tropez.
But in the hills above the city(what the locals who’ve never seen the Rockies would call “Mountains”) there grows the fabled Lemons of Menton.
Why all the fuss over these “citrons?” Well, first of all, the “LOM” is not as acidic as it’s non Menton Brothers. While it’s always a semantic minefield to attempt to “describe” a taste(unless you’re a nerdy wine snob) the lack of acidity gives the LOM a softer, more subtle flavor. Very much favored by Gourmet restauranteurs. Most of whom, on the Riviera, have a “dedicated” supplier in them thar hills.
As you might expect, this revered Citron is Menton’s prinicpal claim to fame. And as such is celebrated with a yearly festival. Now in it’s 8Oth year. That’s the good news. The bad is that owing to the fact there are only about 15 “Lemonists” left in Menton, the majority, if not all of the 145 tons of fruit needed is imported from……you guessed it……Morocco!
Menton’s Lemons are partially, if not totally responible for Monaco’s Casino culture. This is because “back in the day” Menton was a part of Monaco. The heavily-taxed-for-it’s-Lemons part.
Finally, “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore” the Menton-ites, taking a cue from Robespierre and his posse – revolted. Peacefully, I’m happy to report. The result left Monaco without the mountains o’ cash the lemon taxes had provided. Viola – enter the Casino!
As you would expect there is a “Hotel Lemon” in Menton. Certainly “Tarte du Citron”. And tho’ I haven’t checked, I’d be willing to bet a bottle of Chateau Pichon, Comtessee de la Lande 1984, that you could also find an organic juice bar offering “Lemon smoothies.”
Prove me wrong and get a great bottle of wine. Now, how cool is that?
THROW ME A BONE HERE,PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
